It's shocking how many hours a day Canadians sit

Yikes! It's true – each day, Canadian adults spend almost 10 hours of their waking time being sedentary.

What is sedentary behaviour?

Being sedentary refers to activities that need very little physical movement and don't use much energy, such as sitting or lying down for long periods of time. Sedentary behaviour is different than not getting enough exercise.

What are common sedentary activities?

We're spending more and more time on screens – TVs, smartphones, tablets and computers. And when we're texting, watching videos, playing online games, hanging out on the Internet or sharing on social media, we're usually sitting.

We also spend more and more time in our cars and on public transit. And with the rise in technology, many of us spend our days sitting at work as well.

Why is sedentary behaviour bad?

Researchers recognize sedentary behaviour as a health risk since it can lead to weight gain. Obesity is a risk factor for at least 11 types of cancer.